Display-crate.



PATENTED AUG. 14, 1906. W. H. THOMAS. DISPLAY CRATE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1905.

THE- NORRIS PETERS co., wnssmarau, a. c.

WILLIAM H. THOMAS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

DISPLAY-CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug-l4, 1906.

Application filed April 1,1905. Serial No. 253,2 1-

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known. that I, WILLIAM H. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Ouyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Display-Crates, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it om other inventions My invention relates to display-crates, and particularly to devices of this character which are utilized for retainin fruit in such a manner as will keep it fresh or the longest possible period and also display it advantageously.

Said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described, and specifically set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain means embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting but one of various mechanical formsin which the principle of the invention may be used.

, In said annexed drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved display-crate, the cover being lifted up and partially broken away. Fig. 2 represents a central longitudinal section taken upon the plane indicated by the line 2 2, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 rep resents an end view; and Fig. 4 represents a transverse section taken upon the plane indicated by the line 4 4, Fig. 2, the body of the crate, however, being tilted forward from the position shown in said Fig. 2.

My improved crate comprises, essentially, a receptacle or case A for the fruit or other articles to be kept and displayed, means for retaining such articles fresh for the longest possible period, and standards B for supporting the receptacle A, and in which standards said receptacle is adapted to be tilted into any desired position within certain limits, so as to advantageously display the fruit. Suitable side and end members a and 0., respectively, are provided for the receptacle, secured together in any approved manner and further held together by a lower strengthening member a Suitably hinged to a side member a is the transparent cover a of any approved construction. There is no bottom proper to'my improved crate; but a series of transverse slats a supported at their ends *upon the member a and disconnected laterally from each other, form, in effect, a base for supporting the articles contained in the crate. The side and end members@ anda, respectively, are provided with slots orper- 6o forations a any suitable number'd'esired, and over said perforations a and above the slats a is secured asuitablereticulated majterial a, such as wire screen, wire gauze, netting, &c. The above-described construction of receptacle provides efficient means for holding the fruit, guarding same from insects, dirt, &c., and also secures a thorough circulation ofair, which latter condition I have found to materially increase the period of 7o- I gime during which the fruit may be kept esh.

For supporting the receptacle A, I have provided two lateral standards B, preferably iron castings, the crate. Each standard comprises a base portion 12 and an arched portion b, as clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 3. In the arched portion b,I provide a plurality of longitudinal grooves b three, as shown, and adapted to engage with and play in these grooves are pins 6 secured to the receptacle A. Such grooves, in effect, provide curved bearing-surfaces on which the pins slidably rest. I have made the two pins that engage the two lower 8 grooves somewhat smaller than the third or upper pin, have secured them to the strengthening member a and also provided them with suitable heads I), so that they will not become detached from the grooves 6 The upper pin is secured in the end member a of the receptacle A and is provided at its outer end with a thumb-screw 11 It will be noted that by loosening the thumb-screw this construction enables the crate to be tilted 5 forwardly, as in Fig. 4, or to lie horizontally, as in Fig. 3, or in any intermediate position, as desired, the crate being secured in such position by screwing up the thumb-screw so that it binds upon the arched member I) of the standard B.

Having described my invention in detail, that which I particularly point out and distinctly claim is 1. In a display-crate, the combination of two standards each comprising a base portion and an arched portion supported upon said base portion and having a lurality of longitudinal grooves; a receptac e provided -with a plurality of pins attached to its ends and adapted to play in said grooves, respectively, whereby the inclination ofthe recepwhich also serve as handles for 7 5 tacle is rendered adjustable; and thumbscrews for securing said pins in said grooves in any desired position.

2. In'a. display-crate, the combination of two standards each comprising a base portion and an arched portion supported thereon and having grooves described upon arcs of the same circle; a receptacle provided with a plurality of pins attached to its ends and adapted to play in said grooves, respectively, whereby the inclination of the receptacle is rendered adjustable and thumb-screws adapted to secure said pins in said grooves in any desired position.

3. In a display-crate, the combination of two standards each comprising a base por tion and an arched portion supported thereon and having a plurality of longitudinal grooves; a receptac e provided with perforations in its bottom and sides, and bearing a plurality of pins on each end adapted to play in the grooves of the corres onding standard, whereby the inclination 0 said receptacle is rendered adjustable; reticulated material covering the perforations in said receptacle; and

thumb-screws adapted to secure said pins in said grooves in any desired position.

Signed by me this 30th day of March, 1905.

WILLIAM H. THOMAS.

Attest:

JNo. F. OBERLIN. G. W. SAYWELL. 

